Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Loss Of Balance?

I have been falling down about 8 or so times within a period of about 1 1/2 yrs. I also veer to the side when walking straight, left more than right, sometimes fall backwards. I am going to chiropractor for 8-9 mths. lately, bending down to like at an item on bottom shelf in store and when I squat down to floor, I can only get up about 1 foot and I don t have stremgth to push up further, and I fall back, onto my back. Today, this happened in Home Depot, DIY store! Please advice on possibilities of what this could be causing this to happen. I am 61 and always been in good health, a multi tasker etc. Thankyou, Linda
Mon, 8 Jul 2019
Report Abuse
Cardiologist,  's  Response
Hello,

It is important to perform a careful differential diagnosis between different possible disorders that could lead to falling:

- a neurodegenerative disorder
- orthostatic hypotension
- chronic degeneration of the cervical vertebral column
- an inner ear disorder
- a cardiac arrhythmia.

For this reason, I would recommend first consulting with a neurologist for a physical exam.

Some tests to consider would be:

- a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound
- a cervical spine X-ray study
- thyroid hormone levels for thyroid gland dysfunction.

A Brain MRI and an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring may be needed. If all these tests result normal, I would recommend consulting with an ENT specialist and performing labyrinthine tests.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Loss Of Balance?

Hello, It is important to perform a careful differential diagnosis between different possible disorders that could lead to falling: - a neurodegenerative disorder - orthostatic hypotension - chronic degeneration of the cervical vertebral column - an inner ear disorder - a cardiac arrhythmia. For this reason, I would recommend first consulting with a neurologist for a physical exam. Some tests to consider would be: - a resting ECG and a cardiac ultrasound - a cervical spine X-ray study - thyroid hormone levels for thyroid gland dysfunction. A Brain MRI and an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring may be needed. If all these tests result normal, I would recommend consulting with an ENT specialist and performing labyrinthine tests. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist